Published: 23 June 2016
Author: Stringer Clark

New research to address farm injuries

A new research project is set to measure the impact of serious farm accidents.

The project will be conducted by researchers and clinicians from Deakin University, Monash University and the National Centre for Farmer Health.

The 15-month study aims to measure the social, mental and physical effects of farm-based major injuries.

It's fantastic to see research is being done which may improve farm safety and also lead to help for injured farmers in their rehabilitation.

It is an undeniable fact that farming is a high-risk occupation so farmers need to recognise this and take precautions in their approach to their work.

Farmers often work in isolation, with heavy machinery and unpredictable animals - all a recipe for things to potentially go wrong.

The study is now recruiting farmers to form a consumer focus group with the first meeting to be held in Warrnambool.

Director of the Deakin University Community Clinical School, Professor Daryl Pedler, says the consumer group will provide background and context to the project.

"We hope to use the expertise of farmers across all farming pursuits to inform this project," he said.

We look forward to following the progress and outcomes of this research.

External Link

The Courier: Research to study impact of injuries